Atlanti (ISSN 1318-0134 , E-ISSN 2670-451X)) is an international review for modern archival theory and practice. It is published by the International Institute for Archival Science of Trieste and Maribor and co-published by Alma Mater Europaea. It has an international editorial board and publishes original research, scientific and professional articles and discussions of archival issues and records management. Atlanti have been published since 1991. It is published once a year in two volumes. The issues are thematic and devoted to the problems in the field of archival science.
The International Institute for Archival Science – IIAS
Applicability of General-Purpose Language Models for Archival Description: Practical Insights and Lessons Learned
Purpose: To test the usability and examine the limitations of general-purpose large language models (LLMs) in archival description. The study was designed as a quantitative/qualitative assessment to monitor trends in this rapidly evolving field. Methodology: The experiment involved testing five AI services on a set of archival records. The set of questions and tasks was divided into two categories: technical tasks (page counting, structure recognition, optical character recognition – OCR) and content-related tasks, such as language detection, content summarization, and title suggestions. Performance was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods, along with archivists' assessments. Results: A significant discrepancy was found between the models' performance across different types of tasks. The tested models proved unreliable in seemingly simple technical tasks, such as determining the number of pages or detecting graphical elements, while showing greater utility in complex content-related tasks. Discussion: The analysis highlights that the tested LLMs are currently unsuitable for automating precise technical description processes but represent a useful analytical and generative tool for producing content summaries and descriptions. By observing how AI systems perform, archivists also gain better insight into potential difficulties faced by users.
Records of the Department of Education in Fond Head of District Murska Sobota – District School Board for Prekmurje in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes from 1920 to 1929
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the content of the education department files from the collection of the District Authority of Murska Sobota – District School Council for Prekmurje, collected in the period of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Kingdom of SHS) between 1920 and 1929. The analysis of these archival sources provides insight into educational administration and its content and linguistic characteristics within a historical context. Methodology: The paper outlines the history of the Prekmurje region during the period of the Kingdom of Hungary and the Kingdom of SHS, allowing for an understanding of administrative division and office practices during the studied period. A descriptive data collection method was employed. The empirical section includes the historical analysis of the creator and the collection, as well as a catalog of archival material according to the ISADg2 standard in the database of the Slovenian Public Archive Service, with a focus on the material-technical condition of the records. Results: The results showed that the collection is hierarchically structured and that the creator operated under various titles, most recently as a district chief. The archival material was already organized chronologically by year and file number, which prevented reconstruction of the collection's original arrangement. The files are well-preserved, easily readable, and primarily pertain to elementary school matters in the districts of Murska Sobota and Dolnja Lendava between 1920 and 1929. Discussion: The findings confirm the appropriate archival organization of the collection, enabling a review of established office management practices during the period of the Kingdom of SHS. The preservation of the material and the accessibility of the content serve as valuable resources for further research on the role of educational institutions in the region and the development of educational policy in the post-World War I period.
District Authority of Murska Sobota – District School Council for Prekmurje
Digitalization of Archival Professional Procedures – A Necessity or a Desire of Individuals
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of digitization in the context of archival professional procedures. These are changing with the development and implementation of information technology solutions in archives. As a result, archival theory and practice do not have clearly defined methods for measuring and determining the achieved level of digitization of the results of archival professional work in a precisely defined time and space. From this point of view, it is necessary to develop and implement sufficiently robust methods at the level of procedures or individual archival professional workers, as well as at the level of institutions, with which it will be possible to measure and define these values. However, since digitization depends on the standardization of archival professional work products, the paper also highlights the requirement to define a method for determining the achieved level of standardization of archival professional work products. In this context, the hypothesis is developed that only accurate and systematically collected data can serve as a basis for strategic decision-making and for the further implementation of digital automation in archives and for decisions regarding digital transformation in the field of archival theory and practice. Methodology: Several research methods were used in the preparation of the paper. The following should be highlighted: study of online and other sources, descriptive and statistical method, case study method, empirical method, method of summarizing obtained results, contents and insights. Results: Understanding the basic aspects of the digitalization of archival professional processes serves as a starting point for the implementation of new technologies in archival professional work. In this context, the generally applicable generic term "digitalization" must be distinguished from the term "digital automation" and from the term "digital transformation" in archives. In this context, the discussion develops starting points for the implementation of complex mixed, i.e. quantitative-qualitative methods. Based on the implementation of such methods, the stages of digitalization and standardization of archival professional processes could be more precisely defined, and the characteristics of archival professional work could also be better defined and verified over time. The research showed that in some areas, solutions have already been implemented that can be defined as "digital automation" of archival professional processes. Their further development depends, among other things, on the achieved level of interoperability, which will need to be systematically upgraded in practice by standardizing the products of archival professional work. Conclusions: The digitization of archival professional procedures and the standardization of archival professional work products are no longer just the desire of individual archivists but are a necessary stage in the development of information support towards digital automation and digital transformation of archival theory and practice. The key here is good control and management of the ever-increasing volume of archival metadata and related archival materials in digital environments.
Archiving of Digital Documents in Poland
Purpose: The research purpose was defined as tracing the history of digitising Polish authorities and the records they generated. These phenomena produced the natural consequence of a need to develop methods of archiving electronic records in Poland. Method/approach: The historical – and, primarily, historical-and-political system-based – method was applied. Legislative acts and related commentary treatments were analysed. Results: The history and circumstances of digitising the Polish administrative-and-office setting, a process begun in the 1990s, was reenacted. While parallel to similar efforts initiated in Western Europe, it was certainly slower and more chaotic. Only Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004 would bring acceleration and certain order to action taken by Polish authorities and historical archives. These attempts were crowned with the 2020 opening of the Electronic Documents Archive for use. Conclusions/findings: While the digital revolution may seem swift, its impact on Polish authorities was slow and evolutionary in nature, multiple solutions proving delayed, others failed. Some might have made the process of digitising authorities more difficult rather than easier. While historical archives seem to be well-prepared for the effort of archiving electronic records, many related uncertainties prevail. All the while, Polish authorities have only digitised a part of their operations – it remains unknown whether hard copy documents will ever go out of common use.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: The Italian National Plan for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage
Purpose: This paper investigates the Italian National Plan for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage (2022–2026), Italy's most comprehensive framework for coordinating the digitization of its cultural assets. Developed within the broader European and international digital agendas, the Plan addresses the longstanding fragmentation of Italy's digitization efforts by establishing a unified policy and infrastructure to enhance accessibility, interoperability, and long-term preservation. Methodology: The study adopts a qualitative and analytical approach based on a review of the Plan's official documentation, including its accompanying Guidelines for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage, and relevant European policy sources. It examines the Plan's policy background, strategic framework, and implementation mechanisms, focusing on how its three strategic pillars—technology, processes, and people—interconnect to create a sustainable digital ecosystem. The analysis also contextualizes the Plan within the broader goals of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the European data space for cultural heritage. Results: The analysis reveals that the Plan transforms digitization from a series of isolated technical initiatives into a systemic and participatory process. It expands access to cultural heritage by promoting user-centered and inclusive design, drives institutional digital transformation through standardized workflows and interoperable infrastructures, and fosters the creation of interconnected ecosystems of cultural data and services. The accompanying Guidelines establish methodological standards for data quality, metadata, and long-term preservation, ensuring coherence across archives, libraries, and museums. The Plan's implementation through NRRP-funded projects is expected to produce more than sixty-five million digital objects by 2026, made available via the national Infrastructure for Cultural Heritage (I.Pa.C.) platform. Discussion: The findings highlight the Plan's dual role as both a technological and cultural innovation. It not only modernizes the management of cultural resources but also promotes inclusivity, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across institutions. However, the success of the Plan depends on sustained investment, professional training, and governance capable of adapting to rapid technological change. By embedding digitization within a holistic policy and infrastructural framework, the Plan positions Italy as a European leader in digital cultural heritage. It demonstrates how digitization, when conceived as an integrated cultural process, can bridge tradition and innovation, ensuring that heritage remains accessible, sustainable, and relevant for future generations.
Pro-Active and User-Centered Archives Services
Purpose: The provision of user services and the granting of access to documents are key elements of the archival mission. Until the emergence of information technology and the internet, user services were oriented towards a limited audience. This changed drastically. The article analyses the profound change and offers perspectives for framing pro-active and user-centred services of archives with focus on the digital area. Methodology: The method used is based on a literature review and the analysis of archival practice due to technology changes. The paper also takes into consideration international best practice, standardisation initiatives and archival codes of ethics. Based on the analysis, the article formulates principles for modern pro-active and user-centred services of archives. Results: The provision of services to users has changed dramatically since the emergence of information technology and the advent of the internet. User services expanded from reference services to a limited audience of specialised scholars towards a new role for archives as information broker in the digital information society. From an information monopoly, archives moved towards a networked moderator and facilitator role in promoting open and equitable access. Conclusions: The democratisation of access through the internet brings numerous and diverse user communities to the archives. A pro-active approach towards users is required that conceives users as protagonists and actors. User services, thus, become participatory, interactive, communicative, outreaching, and educating.
The Importance of Implementing the Agreement on Succession of the Archival Records of the Former Yugoslavia for Archival and Other Scientific Research in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Purpose: The dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), a complex federal state, occurred under challenging political and wartime conditions in the final decade of the 20th century. The process of succession extended to all areas, including state and other archival records, and was marked by misunderstandings and obstructions that affected the archival profession. Methodology: This paper analyzes the legal and practical framework for archival succession established through the Agreement on Succession Issues (2001), particularly Annex D regulating archival matters. The study is based on a review of international agreements, national implementation measures, and available documentation from the successor states, with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: The Agreement's ratification by all successor states intensified implementation efforts. However, progress has been uneven and incomplete, with the overall process still far from realization three decades later. Transparency in the implementation process remains limited, and Bosnia and Herzegovina faces particular challenges in accessing and managing relevant archival records. Discussion: The paper highlights obstacles to fully implementing the Agreement, including political complexities and lack of coordinated international oversight. It emphasizes the importance of archives subject to succession for both archival practice and scientific research, underlining the need for improved cooperation and greater transparency among successor states.
Annex D of the Agreement on Succession Issues
archival service of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Do We Need to Keep Originals After Digitization?
Purpose: The paper examines reasons for preserving original documents after their digitization. Methodology: The research is based on analysis of literature. Results: There are many reasons for preserving the original paper documents after digitization. For example, information loss may be unacceptable, originals are needed to prove the authenticity of the records, or there are legal reasons for keeping the originals. These issues must be considered case by case before making decisions about the fate of the records. Conclusions: One may destroy the originals after digitization. However, this requires careful consideration.
The article describes the current state and the main directions of Kazakhstan’s archives development in “digital state” formation conditions. The problems of ensuring the longterm storage of electronic documents and databases with the subsequent possibility of their management, including through the use of BigData technologies, are considered. A description of a project being implemented in Kazakhstan to create a “Unified Electronic Archive of Documents” is given.
PROJECT E-ARH.SI 2016 - 2020: SOLUTIONS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS
The inspiration and motivation for the development of e-ARH.si in the period 2016 - 2020 is the vision that all interested users will be able to access from any place the best electronic solutions in order to preserve and use electronic archival records. Access to electronic archival records is also one of the priority strategic goals of the development of e-ARH.si for the period 2016 - 2020 and at the same time represents the implementation of various regulations that also require Slovenian public archives to provide access to their services to vulnerable groups (Hajtnik, 2018 , pp.91-101). The author presents some solutions for the realization of this vision, which will enable access to electronic archival records for vulnerable groups (persons with disabilities) and particularly emphasizes the adaptations of film archives and documents.
NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF PROVENANCE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD?
Provenance has been accepted and adopted by most archives, as it allows research and interpre-tation of data in their genuine context of origin. However new types of interconnected data ma-nagement systems used in science, administration and by government agencies can transcend the principle of provenance both vertically and horizontally. Digital data pertaining to certain issues may be generated by several agencies and/or on different levels while being combined in a certain data management system. Archival science has to repsond to this new challenge.
SOCIO-CULTURAL MISSION OF THE ARCHIVES AND NEW STRATEGIES FOR ARCHIVAL MANAGEMENT
The article is devoted to analysis of the socio-cultural mission of archives and their roles in society’s development, in preserving documentary evidences, collective and individual memory, cultural and history heritage. It is investigated some aspects of interactions between the archives and the authorities, individuals and society; it is also characterized the role that memory and social studies, as well as information technologies play in the formation of the current image of archives. Among the current challenges for archives and archival management it has been pointed out the development of a new archival strategy and strategic thinking in a world that is constantly changing; need to provide authenticity of records and their keeping in the digital age; development of a new model for communication between archives and users that satisfy new social requirements. It is outlined, that technological and social changes bring a new look at the archives and the profession of archivist. Special attention is paid to the problem of access to information and creation the new opportunities for interaction between the archives and society through the Internet web-sites and social media.
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN MODERN ARCHIVE MANAGEMENT. AN ATTEMPT AT OUTLINING THE ARCHIVE–RESEARCHER–COLLECTIVE DYNAMIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN HISTORY AND MYTH
It is self-evident that the management of various types of archives is impacted considerably by social communication. This in turn is no doubt necessitated by the various social changes increasingly prevalent in developing societies. Social communication has also a huge impact on the public perception of the archives and the understanding of their role in society, broadly defined. Therefore, in anticipation of the ongoing social changes, archives should act to influence not only their own maintenance but also their perception within society. Basing the theory of archive management on the idea of social communication can bring numerous benefits to the institution, its employees and resources. In consequence, a twofold interaction takes place: the archive reaches out to meet social needs, while cultural and educational entities have the opportunity to use archival resources in their initiatives addressed to local communities. Today, such cooperation is quite popular, widely undertaken and certainly well known. Many authors have devoted numerous studies to it, however a slightly different aspect of potential communication between archive and community would benefit from more attention. Namely, the role that archives could play in the shaping of social historical consciousness, also regarding the interplay of history and myth. The above-mentioned interaction is often conducted through an intermediary – a researcher, most commonly an historian, but it may be worth exploring the potential of the archives themselves for this kind of interactions.
The relationships between archives, archival science and society are necessary, essential and genetic. In fact, the archives, considered as an expression of the society itself and its public institutions as well as its private entities, have always been linked by a strong bond with the society and its evolution. The intent of this brief reflection will be to focus on the interactions between the world of archives and the overall social reality that contribute to define the strategies of action as well as the cultures and the way of thinking and representing themselves of the institutions and professions operating within that world.
Archival arrangement is one of the main activities in archival processing. It is assumed it is based on common understandings and principles. However, there are archival practices that does not fully comply with these principles and understandings, and yet the archives still exist and users are still using the records. Consequently, it may be questioned if the archival principles are not cultural-conditioned and in what circumstances archival arrangement, as presented in international professional literature, can add value to archival processing. The work implied should balance the practical reality of resources and needs of the stakeholders. The modern technologies bring a transformation of archival arrangement, converting it from physical to virtual by reducing the relevance physical location of a record on shelves in favour of a logical property of records.
ARCHIVAL SCIENCE/ARCHIVOLOGY AND AUDIO-VISUAL ARCHIVES OR AUDIO- VISUAL ARCHIVES AND ARCHIVAL SCIENCE/ARCHIVOLOGY
The report describes the relationship between audio-visual archives and archival science or archivology. Author has described the prehistoric wishes of mankind in the rendering all visible things, even the moving images. But the retention of audio-visual materials was only facilitated by the advancement of technology at the end of the 19th and in the 20th centuries. Audio-visual archivology is an important part of archival science/ archivology. Differences between classical and audio-visual archives will be significantly reduced in the future due to archiving of born digital materials.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL AND FAMILY DIGITAL ARCHIVES FOR A NEW PERCEPTION OF THE ARCHIVAL DISCIPLINE
This paper aims to highlight how social transformation, in particular those introduced by the so-called digital revolution, have led to significant changes in the ways in which personal and family archives are managed and how this has produced a need for knowledge, skills and abilities in the archival domain – a real “archival need”, perhaps unconscious, perhaps not well identified but extremely concrete and urgent – which begins to be felt by everyone. This can be an extraordinary opportunity on the one hand to start a mass training plan on the topics of Personal Digital Archiving, on the other hand to bring everyone - even the “common” people – closer to the archival discipline and encourage the recognition of the profession of archivist. In this way the archival science would have the possibility to get out of the circumscribed ranks that have often characterized it and become a discipline recognized by all and with a well estabilished “social” dimension.
THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CHANGES ON THE STATUS POSITION OF THE ARCHIVES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARCHIVAL ACTIVITY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (1990-2018)
Social changes in which the erosion of one party socialism and the introduction of a multiparty pluralist system of power affected the entire ex-Yugoslav territory in 1990. They have fought in the complex circumstances of national conflicts between the ruling political structures on the most important issues of the structure of the country’s socio- political and economic system. These disagreements, among other things, led to a four-year war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995). After that, in the post-war period that is still taking place, in the conditions of establishing a complicated constitutional organization of the country, national and political arguments have continued, with which the process of social transition has significantly slowed down. All these transitionary changes of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian society that still exist have had and have a direct reflection on the status of archives, that is, the management of archives, as well as the development of archival activity as a whole. Until the war, the unique archival service (Archives of B&H with its parent function and eight regional archives) was divided and organized according to the new administrative structure of the country (states, two entities, ten cantons and the Brčko District of B&H). Existing archives found themselves in new status positions, under the jurisdiction of new founders, the supervising function of the Archive of B&H was gone, new archives were formed and decentralization took on the characteristics of anarchy. This has slowed down to a considerable extent, and the development of the archival activity of Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to slow down. This paper points to the course and character of these changes and their reflection on archives and archival activities as a whole.
Viewed upon as repositories of “original” materials, the concept of authenticity permeates the very meaning of archives. The aim of the following report is to present a set of research methods and techniques that historians use when embarking on a quest for original archival documents and, inevitably, a number of dilemmas connected with the (in)accessibility of sources. How important (and informing) is the archive’s role in the historians’ production of knowledge? Does professionalism of archivists influence profoundly the outcome of the researcher’s agenda and, at the same time, help mould further awareness of relevant archival material dispersed across collections and beyond national borders? Archivists play a significant part not only in creating information to produce social and historical knowledge but also in reconstituting social memories that never should never fade.
INFLUENCE OF MODERN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES ON THE VIEWS ON THE BASIC OBJECT OF ARCHIVAL SCIENCE
The article is devoted to the problem of determining the main object of archival science. The traditional object of archival science is an archival document. However, under the influence of modern information technologies, the types of documents, their content have significantly changed. In this regard, some archivists believe that the main object of archival research is not a document, but information. When examining the identified problem, the author concludes that the archival document remains the main object of archival science. This is due to its ability to serve as an evidence, confirmation, as well as the presence of attributes, allowing to identify the author, the time and place of recording information on the media.
In this paper the author present views on the possibilities of coexistence between the rapid development of the information society and the archival theory and practice, or archival science, which today is defined as independent, academic, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary science. The paper deals with the definitions of archivistics and draw attention to extensive literature, and in some segments it also touches on definitions available on web portals, social media, etc. Today, archivists are facing questions that will need to be answered; how should we respond in this day-to-day storm that bumps us from digitalization, GDPR, blockchain, artificial intelligence and maybe more. At the end it mentions the fact that archivism will only develop if it has a quality academically qualified staff, which should provide such a study program in the course of full-time, independent study of archivists, so that graduates will be able to handle all archival professional, technical and scientific research areas. Archival founding countries must also provide funding for the education of archivists at all three levels. Only with a Bachelor of Archivists, Masters of Archival and Documentation and Doctor of Archival Sciences degree archival science will be developed in the same way as other sciences.
Evaluation of Archival Material and Re-Use of Information in the Public Sector
With the implementation of Directive 2003/98/EC and Directive 2013/37/EU on the one hand and with the implementation of the systematic management of electronic documents on the other hand, several archival professional issues are raised regarding the evaluation and use of modern archival material in physical and digital form. Existing archival practice in this area is based mainly on the management of records in physical form. For the modern archivists broader requests for re-use of public sector documents represent great archival-professional challenges. Some basic aspects of this problem are presented in this paper.
Management, Appraisal and Preservation of Electronic Records: the Belarusian Experience
The article is devoted to the new challenges that archives faced during the last twenty years: how to manage E-records, what are the principles and criteria of their appraisal, how to transfer the most valuable E-records to archives and to insure their long-term preservation. The author discovers the solutions of the mentioned problems implemented in the national legislation, reveals the techniques and practices used. In spite of the huge number of legislative acts the problems still remain. The author notes that archivists in their work with Erecords strongly depend upon the hardware and software used for creating and operating E-records, but that does not mean they should stay outside the process. They should feel free to state their demands and to warn about the danger of loss of documents and information if ignored. The quality solutions of the problems are possible only on the basis of close cooperation of records managers, archivists and specialists in the sphere of information technologies.
Archival Response to the Challenge of Long Term Preservation: Archives of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Era of Digitization
One of the simplest and most straightforward definitions of the Archives is that it is a place where archival material is preserved. In addition to all the other tasks that Archives should perform, preservation and protection of archival materials should always be the major commitment. In a world in which we exist, the constant change is the only permanent and inevitable phenomenon. The old Greeks used to say panta rei. There is expression in Bosnia - time creates, time destroys. Men’s fight against transience and oblivion has begun from the first moment when he understood the inevitability of death. This struggle has never stopped and is reflected in art, philosophy, science and everyday life. Archive is just one of the places where it is most evident. Although the information in digital form is theoretically impervious to the passage of time, the media on which they are kept are far away from immortality. It is not even necessary to wait for them to perish physically - they quickly become unusable due to the appearance of newer, better, but incompatible formats. Just try to access a file saved some fifteen years ago, stored on 5 or 8 inch floppy. Archives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, possessing over 400 valuable funds, has not managed to keep pace with similar institutions across Europe in the digitizing process. There is a constant problem of the lack of adequate IT equipment and professional employees. The fire that last year stormed one of the most important depots put in the foreground the strategy of keeping electronic copies in multiple locations.
Specifics of Appraisal of Archival Material in Bosnia and Herzegovina During the Transitional Period
The transition processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused radical changes in all spheres of society, and they are directly reflected on archival activities and appraisal of archives. The paper wants to point out some special appraisal of archive material in a period of transition in terms of specific social processes, such as war developments, changes in the economy in terms of privatization, starting bankruptcy proceedings and other transition and reform processes in the company. These processes in the society constantly demanded new approaches, and the principles and criteria of appraisal of archive material in a period of transition, in order to preserve the optimum necessary information for future generations. This paper aims to show the importance of archives from the period of transition, and to draw attention to the specifics of the appraisal of archives specified period. In doing so, the paper put forward the specifics of the appraisal in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with some positive examples and experiences, gained by Archives of Tuzla Canton. Of course, the paper presents only some specifics of appraisal of archives, however the experience in this area are far more comprehensive and richer.
Management, Appraisal and Preservation of Government Records: Some Aspects of the Canadian
Over the last decades, archivists believed the management of government records, without being perfect, was going smoothly and seamlessly: records from Canadian government institutions were acquired, processed and made accessible to Canadians in an organised, structured, and logical way. However, in his 2014 report, the Auditor General of Canada pointed out not only weaknesses but also failures in LAC activities related directly to its mandate: developing Records Disposition Authorities (RDA), processing archival material from departments and agencies, and making this heritage material available to Canadians or people interested in Canada. LAC was somehow shocked by this earthquake and had to cope with these problems and find solutions, within three years. My presentation has three parts: 1- the LAC Act, macro-appraisal and RDA; 2- the Auditor General’s report; 3- the creation of the LAC Task Force to deal with these archival issues. My conclusion will explore some elements about the management of digital archives for Canadian government institutions.
Management of Public Archives in Burkina Faso: Security and Perennial of Electronic Data
The explosion of the digital in Burkina, like in the major part of the countries of the world, has induced a study on the regulation related to electronic archives and on the impact of the present management of the electronic documents, in about fifteen Burkinabe public institutions, on the security and perennial of the electronic archives. From reports and analyses we must recognize that despite the existence of a national legal framing, the present management of the electronic archives in the majority of the organizations producers of public data in Burkina does not find its foundations in the main texts governing electronic archiving. In the practice it is more question of empirical storing without formalized procedures, than an archiving in the full sense of the term. However, it is right to notice that a certain number of structures integrate the question of the management of the electronic documents as priority in the frame of the good governance.
Web 2.0 in the Archival Domain: Why and How in the Knowledge Economy
In the knowledge economy Web 2.0 applications used by archives are on the increase. This growing engagement has been having an influence on the way archival services and products are made available. In this article we aim to describe how Web 2.0 can work as a virtual extension for archives, by identifying impacts and benefits resulting from that innovation. The innovation is considered as inevitably linked to change and presents a number of challenges. The challenges can typically be brought together in three main areas: the technological change, the cultural change and the pedagogic change. These are all important, interdependent and must be addressed in both a strategic and an operational way if archives are to generate maximum benefit from their investment in this new communicating delivery mechanism. We restrict the attention to archival evidence-based knowledge, and examine issues in content, metadata quality, and knowledge dissemination policy that are important from the perspective of archival methodology.
Information Society, E-Records and the New Archival Science
The study shows how information society is reflected in e-records (volatility, dynamism, mixed private and public spheres), how it transformed the records themselves (no physical aspect, complicated structure, separated elements), and how it conquered the human memory. The basic dilemma of long term preservation is that erecords are dependent upon hardware and software which change rapidly, therefore we are unable to preserve them unchanged. The study talks shortly about integrity and authenticity of e-records which are basic requirements, and then outlines the major preservation strategies (migration, emulation, technology preservation, post-custodial archives, cloud computing) used by archives. In the digital world archival science adopted a lot from information science which caused that standards (ISADg, EAD, OAIS) are the new milestones of archival science. The greatest „yield” of this cooperation is that the data management and procedures are automatable. However, archivists must keep their classical synthetic work in digital world, too: to know and describe the record creator agency, its economic, political and societal environment, to build the system of fonds, etc.
Managing a Photograph Collection: ARKzin photo archive Case Study
Paper deals with whole process of organization of photo documentation produced by magazine ARKzin. ARKzin was published from 1991 to 1998 and first existed within the Antiwar Campaign Croatia, a network of peace, antiwar, and human rights groups, and later became independent subject. Collection of photographs consists of around 1500 items, taken from different authors, with some of them later becoming well-known photographers, and covers many subjects: protests, war atrocities, portraits of people interviewed for ARKzin, various social events, and graphics. The collection itself is valuable overview of social and political situation in Croatia in the nineties. The collection was transferred from ARKzin as creator to Documenta in 2011, with the aim of identification of items, organization and digitization, and publishing on virtual archive on the Internet. The paper is presenting the challenges of collection management in both physical and virtual environment, with emphasis on physical organization of the collection.